Transversely-adjustable chute for cake-stacking machines



P. RASMUSSEN. TBANSV'ERSELY ADJUSTABLE CHUE FOR CAKE STACKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.30, 1920.

Patented Nov. 22, 1921.

UNITED srarss PETER nnsiviussiiiv, or DENVER, coronario, Assreivon or elvis-ruins iro STEPHEN KNIGHT, os nmvvnn, corio-nano. Y l v i TRANSVERSELY-ADJUSTABLE CHUTE FOR CAKE-STACKING MACHNES.

Application filed 'August 30, 19720. Serial No. 406,930.

To all whom it may concern i Be it known that I, PETER RiisMUssnN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Transverselyddjustahle Chutes for Cake-Stacking Machines, of which the following is a specification. Y Y I My invention relates to a multiple group of adjustable opening and 1closing cake stacking chutes, forcalre stacking machines.

And the obj ect-s of my invention are:

To provide in connection with a cake stacking machine,- a number of connected, transversely adjustable cake receiving chutes, provided with gravity means for checking and tripping the foremost cake in a line of cakes, whereby the succeeding cakes are caused toroverlap `in column formation in the chutes, the increasing pressure against saidv gravity means causing it to release the cakes, which thereafter pass continuously from the chutes tothe cake stackingmachine in overlapping column formation; 4

Second. To provide means for vertically agitating the calze stacking chutes so4 as to preventthe cakes from clogging in their passage through the chutes.

Third. To provide -a simple group of chutes in which one or more of thechutes 'can be cut out when it is desired to use a less number, and to provide an adjustable and simple group of cake stacking chutes that can be opened or closed to receive cakes of different sizes in diameter and thickness.

I attain these objects by the. mechanism ,illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of one oi the stacking chutes.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view show-` ing the chutes and means 'for imparting a vibratory movement to said chutes.

Fig. 5 is anenlarged sectional view through the lower end portion of one of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 192i.

chutes, showing its connection f with staclr receiving' unit. And

Fig. V6 is a side view of one of the guide chutes, which receive the cakes from the delivery conveyer and transfer them tothe stacking chutes. Y l Y Similar letters of reference referto similar parts throughout the .several views.

Referring to the drawings: The numeral l designat'esI one oiE the individual adjustable cake stacking chutes kof the group of chutesthat comprise my present invention. l Y

A. somewhat similarf chute `can be seen in the patent issuedto me` Febf27, 1917,"No-

Parana??ferries. i

the

1,217,345 for a cakestacking machine; f.

present invention, howeveiy contains essential and valuable improvements over the construction shown in that patent.

My present invention contemplates agroup ott these chutes arranged side by side;

three ot these chutes are' illustrated in my present application, but more can be used and should be'used ,onwider machines t-hat are builtto stack a large output oi cakes.

The chutes Vare connected at one end to the discharefe end pertionof the cake reeeiving part of the calze stacking` machineV illustrated in my above mentioned patent and in mvpending application, Serial No. 406,928 iiled August 30, k1920, for a new automatically operating cake receiving, separating', dividing and centralizing machine,

rlhe chutes all stand in a downwardly inclined position from the cake receiving. end 2, to their discharging end 3, where the cakes are discharged. onto lthe lower end of an upwardly inclined endlessbelt 4l. that is mounted on a supporting frame 5, from which they are picked up by an attendant and are placed in shipping boxes.y Only a fragmentary part ot' this stacked cake receiving conveyer is illustrated herein, as it forms only a. coperating part of my present application, Vwhich concerns" solely the `Vadjustable chute portion of a complete cake stacking machine. Y

The stacked cake receiving portion ot' the complete machine was made the subiect of a separate application for a patent, which ioo was iiled on August 30, 1920, Serial No.

lessee.

chutes also in afiiat position, butthey are discharged from them in a iiat overlapping stacked and close together paclred condition onto the lower end 7, ofthe caire removing portionot `the completeV cakestaelrin'g machine, which l do not illustrate herein."

Each one of the'V three cake stacking chutes consists of a seiniecircular shaped piece of sheet steel that is'preterably about three feet long, and veach chute rests on a strap 8., that extends across and supportsfitsbottom edge, at its opposite ends,` and vthe opposite ends oit these straps are .secured to angleba'rs 9,. which also extend lengthwise along the chutes, and' the angle-bars 6A, at the tog edge of Veach chute, are bolted to the angle bars 9, ot thefchute supporting straps 8.

, The upper end 2, or" each of these adjust-v able chutes A1, that receives `the cakes as they are discharged from the endlessbelt 6, are

i each secured by ai bolt'QA, to an angle bar 10, that extends across the lower endll, of the frame' 12, of the'calre separatingand dividing portion of the stacker, to the top part of the straps 13. As the cakes fall from the end of the discharging Vendless conveyer 6, they fall onto the top ot three separate 'and independent guide plates 14, therupper ends of each otwhich are provided with a hoolrshaped end 15, that lits loosely over a rod 16. These guide plates taper from their upper ends to a rounded pointed portion 17, into theadjacent upper ends of the chutes and rest loosely on the bottom of their inside surfaces. This arrangement allowsL these guideV plates to vbe removed veasily and quickly from the discharging Vend of the belt 6, and from the cake entering ends of the chutes. v

The opposite sides of the lower end 11, of

theV frame 12, are provided with slideways 18, that are formed on each side between the side boards 19, of the frame 12, and the straps 13. Boxes 26, are slidably mounted in these slideways and the shaft 21,'that supports the discharging end'of the belt 6, is

' jouinaled `in these boxes, l'which Vare adjustable in the slideways' by means ot threaded rods 22, that are threaded through the boxes and extend through the ends ofthe straps 13, and are provided with finger grips 23, and are arranged vto move the boxes to tighten or loosen the belt 6. j

The rod 16, to which the upper endso the guide plates 14, are hooked, extends out the middle chute, l place acalre divid-V ing mechanism, which consists ot a hinge member 24thatis hinged at one end to the center Voit the angleV bar 10, that extends aci-oss the end of the supporting frame 12,

et the belt 6, and to this hinge member 24,

l pivotally hinge a pairl of fingers 25, connected to form aV-shaped guide .or ycaire divider 26, the free ends btjwhich extend to the adjacent edges of the twooutside chutes, g

and when the member V2li is swune' down the ii-shaped divider rests 'upon' theconveyer belt 6, and divides thecalies intov two streams that slide into the two outside "chutes, the said V-shaped divider acting toclose the entrance o1 the middle .chiite from thecalres.

When itlis desired to use the .middle chiite the hinged member 2l, with its divider is Cri swung up onv pivotalV hinge over its .1

center and is supported'in an inoperative position by astop 27, which is securedto the member 2-1, and is adapted to engage the anglebar.V 10. Each cake stacking-chute is provided with an adjustable contracting and n expanding mechanism that is arranged to permit an operator to open or close vthe crosssection size or area cof these Achutes at their Vupper or lower end portions simultaneously andin a few'seconds of time'to adjust them to automatically stack-any size of cakes that will enter the inlet end of the chutes.

This opening and closing mechanism comprises the following :instrumeiitalities cooperating with eatures `that form a part of the chutes, whichare as follows: Y

" rlhe chutes are positioned with their side edges close together and at a short distance from thev cake inlet endsot the chutes are each provided with' slits 31, that extendy from i their opposite top side edges through'their angle bar edge portions down into the bodyof `the,semi-circular shaped chutes a short distance, and to the upper top edges of each iis chute at its opposite sides and close to the slits 31, one end of a short fiat thinstrip of metal 32, which l ternra hinge plate, is pivotally secured.

Each angle fbar 6^, is divided at a point in line' with theslits 31, inthe chutes, iand the i hinge plates 32, connectthe adjoining ends of the divided angle bars, inthe-,following manner: Each hinge plate has a slot 27A, Aat one end, through which a bolt 28 passes, which also extends through the end portion of the upper member of the divided angle bar, and the lower end portion of the hinge plate is rigidly bolted to the lower member of the angle bar. f By this means the two members ot each angle bar are pivotally connected,and the lower members can be moved toward or away from each other, to contract or widen the chutes l.

Below these hinge members 32, I place two independent bars 33 and 34, transversely across all of the chutes. The bar 33, is provided with a threaded stem portion 35, and is pinned or is otherwise secured to the tar side of each chute, while the bar 34, is pinned or otherwise secured to the opposite side ot each chute. Consequently these two bars are alternately secured to the opposite sides of each chute. The chutes naturally exert a resilient tension against being closed or contracted in width, and consequently have a tendency to spread apart or open out wider. And these cross-bars 33 and 34, are moved to open or close the top open sides ot the chutes simultaneously, in the following manner:

rl`he threaded stem 35, of the bar 33, extends beyond .one of the outside chutes, and is threaded into and through a crank lever 36, that is provided with a hub portion 37, on the end ot which a flange 38, is formed that is large enough in diameter to overlap the adjacent end of the cross bar 3s, and thus hold each chute under expansive tension.V

Vhen the hand lever is turned onto the threaded stem, its flange engages the end ot the bar 34, which projects slightly beyond the adjacent side of the chute, and this causes a pushing action on the said rod 3l, and at the same time, a pulling action on the rod 33, which results in'pushing inward the sides 4l, 4t2 and 1-3, of' the chutes, and at the same time pulling inward the opposite, sides 45, 46 and 47, of the said chutes, by which they are contracted in width, and are held under tension, as the said chutes are made of sheet steel, and their opposite edges having a normal tendency to spring apart, or away from each other. W hen it is desired to expand or widen the chutes, the hand nuts 36, are turned in a reverse direction, thus relieving the pressure under which the chutes are held, and permitting them to expand or widen. By this means the chutes can be expanded or contracted in width to meet the,

requirements arising from the varying sizes of cakes which are passed over the machine.

It hasbeen found in practice that some classes of' goods do not slide down the chutes as readily as others, and in order to insure an uninterrupted passage of the goods from thel receiving end to the discharge end of the chutes, the following means are employed to impart a vibratory movement to the chutes, and thus prevent stoppage of the goods passing through the same.

To the under sides' ot the angle bars 9, and near the discharge ends of the chutes are secured depending yoke-shaped brackets 4:8, in which are slidably mounted bearing boxes l, which rest upon adjusting bolts 49, which are threaded through the lower ends of the brackets, and by which the boxes can be raised or lowered, as will be understood.

A shaft 52, is mounted in these boxes, and one end of this shaft is provided with a sprocket wheel 53, which is connected by a chain 54, with a sprocket wheel 55, on a driven shaft 70, of the trame Upon the shaft 52, are rigidly secured three ratchet wheels 56, which are preferably positioned centrally beneath the chutes. A bar 57, extends beneath and in engagement with the chutes, and at its ends are slidably mounted in the brackets 48. A metal strap 57A, is secured to the underside of this bar, and in this strap are screwed three pins 53, the ends of which are beveled, and rest on the ratchet wheels 56. When the shaft 52, is rotated, the teeth of ratchet wheels 56, engage the pins 58, thus imparting an up and down, or vibratory motion to the bar 57, and to the chutes which rest upon the said bar, whereby goods passing through the chutes are kept moving until they are discharged upon the conveyor 4:, ot the next unit ot the machine. lt is necessary in order to the proper subsequent handling of the cakes by the attendants, that they pass out of the chutes in continuous columns, the cakes in each column overlapping one another; and this is accomplished by depending swinging arms 59, having stop plates 60, secured thereto, which lie at an inclination, their tree ends resting upon the bottoms of the chutes near the discharge ends thereof. The arms 59, are supf* ported in collars 76, which are mounted on a cross rod 6l, the ends of which are supported in collars 73, which will be later described. Upon the forward'uprights or legs 5A, of the frame 5, are secured vertical straps 5B, the lower and upper ends of which are bent at right angles, to form bearings 63 and Gil, respectively, for upright threaded rods 62, upon which are mounted boxes 69, having bearings in which are journaled the ends ot a shat't 70. upon which is mounted a drum 7l, around which passes the conveyor 1l. One end of the shaft 70, is provided with a sprocket wheel 65A, which is connected by a chain 65B, .with a driven sprocketnot shown-on the frame l2, by which power is transmitted to the drum 7l.

Sleeiifes 7 2, tit loosely over the rods 62, and restupon the-upper ends or" the boxes 69', and the collars 73, which support the rod 6l, also t loosely on the roes 62, and rest upon the upper ends of the sleeves 72. rllhe boxes are raised or lowered to change the inclination or the conveyer et, well as that of the chutes, and the raising and lowering of the boxes is accomplished as follows: The

llO

upper bearings 64, of the threaded rods 62, are provided with upright ears 64A, in which ashaft 65, is mounted having bevel pinions (i7, secured thereon, which mesh with bevel gears 66,011 the upper ends of the threaded rods 62. The shaft 65, is provided with an operating hand wheel 68, and when the shaft G5, is turned by said wheel, the pinions 67, turn the gears 66, and the rods 62, to Vwhich the said gears are secured, and as the rods 62, are threaded through the bones 69, the said boxes are thereby raised or lowered to give the desired inclination to the conveyer 4f, and to the chutes, the lower ends of which rest upon the said conveyer. The.

sleeves 72, are also raised and lowered by the boxes 69, on which they rest, and these sleeves impart a like movement to the collars 73, which support the rod 6l, on which the stops 60, are mounted.

The collars 76, which support the stop arms 59, also support arms 75, which are arranged at a slight inclination to the horizontal, and are provided with holes a, to receive stop pins and upon the arms 7 5, are slidably mounted weight-s 74, which are held in place after proper adjustment on the arms, by the pins 25, and which act to hold the stop Y )lates 60 tem ooraril in engagement with the bottoms of the chutes, in order that the cakes first entering the chutes afterv the machine is started, may be stopped by the plates 60, to allow the cakes following to assume a column formation, and this is Veffected as follows: f i

When the advance cakes strike the stop plates, they are thereby tilted so that their rear e-dges are higher than their forward edges; and thefcalres immediately following slide under the first cakes, and are also tilted, and this continues until the pressure of the cakes against the stops is sufficient to raise them, when the cakesV will pass out of the chutes and onto the conveyer in overlapping column formation, and after the stop plates are lifted bythe cakes, the said plates offer practicallyl no .resistance to the cakes as they pass, and after the cakes have once been given column formation, they continue in this form until themachine stops. Y

The weights 74.-, are adjusted to give the required resistance to the stops to meet the conditions arising from the different'characters of cakes vwhich are' handled by the machine. In operatiomthe chutes are expanded or contracted in the manner above "described, to suit the character of calres to be handled; the chutes are given the proper inclination, and the cakes yare passed from the conveyer 6, f the frame l2, to the short guide chutes la, and thence to the stacking shute l, where the advance cakes are stopped to allow those following to assume column formation, after which they dischargeV from the chutes in continuous column formation upon the conveyer d, and are carried forward by the said conveyor Ll, in this formation, to be subsequently removed and placed in boxes by attendants. The conveyer 4l, and parts connected therewith, form no part of the present invention, but are fully set forth in a separate application bearing the same date as the present application, and this latter conveyer forms the last unit of a complete cake stacking machine. 1 p

I do not wish to be limited to the construction and arrangement shown as changes can be made without departing'from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Y

l. An adjustable group of cake stacking chutes, each of which comprises a semi-circular shaped chute; means including cross-bars secured to opposite sides of said chutes in alternate order for adjustably opening or closing said chute to receive cakes of different sizes; and means including a gravity de-V vice for assembling said cakes in rows at the discharge end of each chute; said chutes being supported at a downward angle from their cake receiving end to their discharge end; and means including threaded rods for raising the discharge end of said chutesj and means including a rotating shaft under said chutes for agitating said chutes.

2. 15in adjustable group of cake stacking chutes, each of which comprises' a semi-circular shaped chute; means including cross-bars secured to opposite sides of saidchutes in alternate order for adjustably opening or closingsaid chute to receive cakes of different sizes; and means including a gravity de- 'f'vice for assembling said cakes in rows at the discharge end of each chute; said chutes being-supported at a downward angle from their calze receiving end to their discharge end gA and means includingy threaded rods for raising the discharge end of said chutes g and means including a rotating shaft under said chutes for agitating said chutes; said shaft being provided with a ratchetA wheel and a pin member on the Vbottom of said chutes in engagement with said ratchet teeth. Y

8. An adjustable group of cake stacking chutes, each of which comprises a semi-circular shaped chute, means including crossbars secured to opposite sides of said chutes ,in alternate order for adjustably opening orA llO Vto

circular shaped being7 providedwtharatchet wheel and a pin member on theV bottom Vofv saidchutes in engagementwith said ratchet teeth;` said chutes opening rand closing ineans Vcomprising also a transverse slot in the opposite'top `side edges of each of said chutes and a hinge connection between the parts ol'- each chute separated by saidslots. n Y

Ll. Anlladjustable 'group of cake stacking chiites, each of whichrcomprisesa semi-circular-'shaped chute; means including crossbars secured to opposite sides of said chutes in alternate order'ior adjustably opening or closing said chute to receive cakes of different sizes; and means including a gravity device 4for assembling said cakes yin rows at lthe discharge,eiidoiI cach chute; said chutes being Asupported ata downward angle from 'their cakey receiving endrto their discharge end ;V and means including threaded rods for raisingfthe discharge end of said chutes; and means includinga rotating shaft under 'said chutes for agitating said chutes; said shaft being provided with 'a ratchet wheel and a pin member on the bottom ofsaid chutes in engagement with said ratchet teeth; said chutes opening and closing means comprising-also a transverse slot in the opposite top side edges of each lof said chutes andv a hinge connection between the parts of each chuteseparated by said slots; and means including a handleverthreaded to one of said crossbars and arranged to pull on one cross-bar and to push on the other cross-bar7 whereby said group of chutes are opened or closed as desired.

V5. An adjustablegroup of caire stacking chutes, each of whichcomprises a semichute; means including cross-bars secured to" opposite sides or" said chutes in alternate order 'for adjustably opening or closing said chute to receive cakes 'of different sizes; andmeans'includf ing: a gravity device `for,assembling said cakes in rows at the discharge end of each chute; 'said chutes being supported rat a downward `angle from their cake. receiving end to their discharge end; and/means including'threaded rods for raising the discharge end of said chutes; and means in cluding a rotating yshaft under lsaid chutes for -agitating said chutes; 'said shaittr being provided with afratchetwheel and arpin member on fthe bottom oit said chutes in engagement with said ratchet teeth; said chutes" opening and closing means'comprising also a transverse4 slot in theopposite top side edges of each oisaid chutes and a hinge connection between the parts ofeach chute separated by saidslots; and means including a hand lever threadedto one of said cross-bars and arranged to pull on one crossbar and to push on the other cross-bar, whereby said'group of chutes are opened or closed as desired; a framefor supporting group of threedownwardly inclined cake them into said chutes," withthe cakedividing .iinger deviceior closing the ventrance to'the said'` group of chutes, `and 'a :plate at the entering end of each chute arranged to guide said cakes into, and' `means -includinga hinged `linger Adevice for dividing the .cakes and for closing the intermediate chute, or chutes and for guidingV thecakes into'ithe outsidechutes. r 3 i ,l 6. The combination `with the discharging end ofl a cake receivingmachine, of 4the stacking chiites,` provided with the -guide plates Aior receivinglthe cakes from the discharging endof saidsmachine and guiding `supporting'said chutes and their operating chute, the "hinge members connecting the ends ofi each chute7 divided by said slots,`

and the cross-bars connected in alternate order to the opposite sides of each chiite. t

.8. The combinationV with i the 'discharging endofa c akeueceiving machina' of the group of three downwardly inclinedV cake stacking chutes7 4provided with the guide plates for receiving the cakes from the dis- 7105 charging end oit' said machine andfguiding y them into saidchutes, with `the cakedivid ingnger device Jfori closing the entrance to 4the middle chute and'directingthein into the two outside chutes,and a suitable frame for 110 supporting said chutes and theiroperating. mechanism; the transverse slots in each chute, `the vhinge membersk connecting the ends et each chute, divided'bygsaidslots,` and the cross-bars connected iiiialternate order k115 to the opposite sidesoii each chuteyone ofv said cross-bars being provided .with a threaded stein, the hand lever threaded to said stern,V

and arranged to engage the'yfend of the' other` crossbar, wh'erebywhen said hand leverlis 120 turned on'said stem, said chutes are 'opened 'o'rclose'dfas desired toreceive stacked cakes of dii'ierent sizes@` u i i 9.*The combination with Athe `discharging end of a, cake receiving machine, 'of the v125 group oi. three downwardlyiinclinedy cake stacking chutes, yprovided with' the guide plates Vfor receiving the cakes `from therdischarging end ofsaid machine and guiding them 'into saidlchutes, with the cakesdivid- 130 a stem and. arranged to engage thev end of the feo igev

Aing linger ldevice for closing the entrance Vto .the middle chute and directing them into ftliejtwo outsidel chutes, and a suitable frame :for supporting said chutes and their operatiing. mechanism; the v`transverse slots in each chute', the.` hinge. members yconnecting lthe ends of each chute, divided by said-slots, and

'the cross-bars connected alternate order tothe opposite sides of each chute," one v,of said cross-bars being provided with a'thread-` ed stem, `the hand leveri threaded to said stem and'arrangedtofengage the end of the other cross-bar, whereby when said hand lever is turned onsaid stem, said chutes are 'sgroup of three downwardly inclinedV cake Astacking chutes, provided with the guide plates Afor 'receiving the cakes from the discharging end of said machine and guidingV theminto said chutes, with the caire dividing finger device for closing the lentrance-to the middle chute andv directing them into the two outside chutes-,and a suitable frame for supporting said. chutes and their-,operating mechanism; .the'ztransverse slotsl in `each chute,;the hinge v members connecting the ends of each chute,divided byl said slots, and the cross-bars connected in alternate order to the oppositev sides Aof eachfchute, one of Y said cross-bars being provided with a threaded stem, the hand *lever 'threaded to' said other, cross-br, Y whereby ywhen:v said hand lever is turned on said stem, said chutesare Aopened or closed as desired` to receivestaclred cakes ofV different sizes; with the chute jarring and agitating mechanism, compris- --ing the power rotated shaft `below vsaid chutes, the ratchet wheels, the cross-bars secured to the underside ofsaid chutes and the pins depending therefrom andin engagementA withsaid.` ratchet teeth; and with the j rinechanismf for raising and lowering the` lower ends of Said chutes,comprising the,

` threadedrods, the cross-rod supported thereby, the adjustable counterbalanced arms pivi otally mountedl onsaid cross-rod, tongues on `*said arms each of which 'dependsinto the discharge end of eachchute.l i y Y v 11. Thecombination with the discharging end of a cake receiving imachine, of Vthe 'group'of' three downwardly inclinedY cake l stacking chutes, 'provided vwith the guide plates for receiving theV cakes from the discharging` end of saidmachine and guiding them into Said chutes, withthe cakedivding linger device for closingy the yentrance to ends of each chute, divided by said slots,and

the cross-bars connected -in alternate lorder tothe opposite sides of each chute, (one Vofv said cross-bars being' providedV with" a threadedV stem,l the handv Vlever threaded to :said stem and arranged ytoV engage the end of the other cross-bar, wherebywhen saidhand lever is turnedon said stem, said chutes are l opened or closed as vdesired toreceivestacrked vcakes of different sizes; with the vchute jarring yandagitating mechanism7 comprising the power rotated shaft below said chutes, the ratchet'wheels, the cross-bars Secured tothe under side of said chutes-and ythe p'insfdepending therefromfand in` engagement with said ratchet teeth, and with the mechanism for raising and loweringithe lower ends of said chutes, comprising the.V

threaded rods, the cross-rod supported thereby, the adjustable counterbalancedigravity slots, Atongues on? ,said cross-rod, lone of Veach of which depends into Athe discharge endof .each chiite, and with thefreceiving end ofja cake-row receiving and*` removing `machine arranged to support the lower ends of said 'chutes and yto receive the Arows of cakes -discharged by said gravity stop 4tonguesjfrom saidchut'es. @c v 12. The combination of a group ofV adjustable cake stacking chutes, each of substantially semicircular form in cross-section, means including the hinged joints in each chiite for opening and closing the same, and meansincluding an-adjustable weighted g'rwity' stop tongue in the discharging end lof each' chute for? collecting the stacked cakes inrows and `discharging theml in rows.

i 13. The combination of a group of adjust'- able cakel stacking chutes, .each of substantially semicircular 'form iny cross-section,

means including ,the hinged joints in each chute for opening and closing the saine, and means including; an` adjustable. weighted gravity stop tongue in the: discharging end iio` `of each, chute for collecting the stacked j Acakes in rows Tand discharging them infrows of a predetermined number of cakes from said chutes, and means including the agitat]- inginec'hanism for agitating'said chutes and the guide plates for guiding cakes into vsaid chutes, and the; dividing lingers-'arranged to close one or more chutes and to direct the Y cakes into the other chutes, as desired.`

14a A plurality of stacking chutes ar-i ranged inparallel order, and Vcomprising resilient sheet metal memberasemicircular in cross section, abar connecting: the far Vedges of the several chutes and provided Awitha threaded .end portion, a har4 connectiao Y bers connecting the adjoining ends or' the mentioned bar, which engages the end of the v second bar, whereby, when the hand nut is 5 turned forward upon the threaded portion of the rod, the side edges of the chutes are simultaneously drawn inward, and when the hand nut is turned backward the sides of the chutes spring outward under resilient tension. 15. A plurality of stackingV chutes arranged in parallel order and comprising resilient sheet metal members, semicircular in cross section, divided angle bars secured along the edges of said chutes, hinge memsaid divided angle bars, and being rigidly connected to one angle bar and pivotally connected to the adjoining end of the other angle bar, slits being formed in the side portions of said chutes in line with the `divi-Y and adjoining the lrst mentioned bars,l

hand nuts on the threaded end portions of Said st' bars, which are adapted to engage the ends of the second bars, whereby when the hand nuts are screwed forward the chutes are simultaneously contracted in width, and when the hand nuts are unscrewed the chutes expand in width underl resilient tension.

16. The combination Vwith'cake delivery and stack receiving units, of a plurality of y stacking chutes arranged in parallel order, and comprising resilient sheet metal members, semicircularrin cross section, means for connecting the chutes at one end with the delivery unit,` their opposite ends being adapted to discharge cakes in stack form, on the stack receiving unit, means for contracting the widths'o'f the chutes simultaneously, said chutes being` adapted to expand in width when the contracting force is relieved, and means for impartnga vibratory movement to said chutes.

In testimony whereof Iailix my signature in presence of'two witnesses. f

Witnesses: t

G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, AMY E. NACE.

PETER RAsMUssEN. 

